Traveling bag



June s, 1941.V J. WEIN 2,244,091

TRAVELING BAG Filed Sept. '7, 1937 Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT 4 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to traveling bags. More particularly the invention relates to that type of traveling bag which is known as a Gladstone bag and comprises as the main parts thereof a pair of complemental sections which form or define a pair of open sided compartments for clothing or other articles and have substantially rigid leather faced bottom and side walls and semi-flexible leather faced end and top walls and also have hinges between their bottom walls whereby they may be swung from an open position wherein the compartments are accessible into a closed position wherein they face and engage one another and the compartments therein are closed by a partition therebetween.

One object of the invention is to provide a bag of this type which is more durable and practical than previously designed bags of the same general character by reason of the fact that it embodies a pair of metallic angle bars which are applied to, and extend longitudinally of, the junctures of the bottom and side walls of the bag and serve so to reinforce said junctures that the bag as a whole retains its normal shape and cracking of the leather facings of the bottom walls and the lower portions of the side walls is effectively prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Gladstone bag of the last mentioned characof the bars become rusty as the result of contact with moisture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Gladstone bag of the type and character under consideration which includes stud-like feet having attaching Shanks or stems which extend through and are riveted to the bottom legs of the metallic angle bars for reinforcing the junctures of the bottom and side walls of the bag.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a Gladstone bag which is generally of new and improved construction and is not only characterized by its durability but also is capable of withstanding hard use and may be manufactured at a comparatively low and reasonable cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present Gladstone bag will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a Gladstone bag embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the bag in its open position, that is, with the complemental compartment forming sections thereof spread apart;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 and illustrating in detail the design and arrangement of the metallic angle iron bars which serve to reinforce the junctures of the bottom and side walls o-f the bag; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

The traveling bag which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is of the Gladstone type and comprises a pair of complemental sections 5 and and an intermediate partition l. The sections 5 and 6 are substantially rectangular and define open sided compartments for use in storing and transporting clothing or other articles. When the sections are swung together, as hereinafter described, the partition l serves as a closure for the open sides of the compartments and prevents the articles in one compartment from passing to the other compartment.

The section 5 consists of a bottom wall t, a side wall 9, a pair of end walls I9, and a top wall II, and has a lining l2 over the inner faces of these walls. This lining is formed of thin leather or fabric and is secured in place by means of an adhesive coating between the inner face thereof and the contiguous or inner faces of the bottom, side, end and top walls of the section E. In addition to the lining I2 the section 5 has a U-shaped angle iron frame I3 (see Figure 4). This frame serves as a reinforcing agent for the section 5 and is disposed adjacent to the entrance of the compartment which is defined by the various walls of the section 5. The bottom wall t is substantially rigid and consists of a rectangular strip I4 of cloth board or like brous material and a coextensive outer facing I 5 of leather.

The side wall 9 is also substantially rigid and consists of a rectangular strip I5 of cloth board or like fibrous material and an outer facing I1 of leather. The leather outer facing i1 is suitably secured to the outer face of the cloth board strip I6 and embodies an extension i8 at the lower margin thereof. This extension is bent inwardly into lapped relation with the outer side margin of the bottom Wall 8 and is secured to the latter by stitching I5 so as to effect connection of the lside and bottom Walls. The end walls Ill are located at the ends of the bottom and side walls.

They are semi-flexible and consist of inner strips 2l) of burlap type material and outer facings 2l of leather. The outer side margins of the end Walls are suitably stitched to the end margins of the side wall 9 and the bottom end margins of said end walls are secured to the end margins of the bottom wall 8 by a pair of corner pieces 22. The top wall il, like the end Walls Ill, is semi-flexible. It is suitably stitched along the outer margin thereof to the top margin of the side wall 9 and consists of an inner strip 23 of burlap type material and an outer facing 24 of leather. The end margins of the burlap strip 23 and the leather outer facing 24 are joined to, and formed integrally with, the upper end margins of the strips 2i) and the facings 2l of the end walls respectively. One leg of the U-shaped angle iron frame I3 nts against the inner faces of the burlap strips 2l] and 23, as shown in Figure 4. The inner side margins of the leather outer facings 2l and 24 project beyond the inner side margins of the burlap strips 2li and 23 and extend around the frame I3 and are suitably secured in place. In order to reinforce the compartment forming section 5 along the juncture of the outer margin of the bottom wall 8 and the bottom margin of the side wall 9 a metallic angle bar 25 is provided. This bar consists of a side leg 25 and a bottom leg 21 and extends substantially from one end Wall l to the other. The side leg 26 extends along and ts against the outer face of the bottom margin of the cloth board strip I 6 of the side wall S, as lshown in Figure 3. The bottom leg 21 of the bar 25 is formed integrally with and extends at right angles to the side leg 25 and is arranged so that it extends under the bottom edge of the cloth board strip I E and laps the inner face of the outer margin of the cloth board strip I4 of the bottom wall 8. The bar 25, as the result of the fact that it reinforces the juncture of the bottom and side walls of the section `serves in a general way to retain or hold the section 5 in shape and effectively prevents cracking of the portion of the leather outer facing I 1 which extends around the bar. In order further to reinforce the juncture of the bottom and side walls of the section 5 an angle type strip 28 of cloth board or like fibrous material is provided. This strip is the same in length as the metallic angle bar and consists of a side leg 29 and a bottom leg 30. leg is interposed between the side leg 26 of the bar 25 and the contiguous part of the leather cuter facing I1 of the side wall and serves to augment the reinforcing tendency of said side leg 26 and also to prevent said contiguous part of the facing Il from being injured or corroded by the side leg 26 of the angle bar in the event that the latter becomes rusty as the result of contact with moisture. A line 3| of stitching overlies the top edge of the side leg 29 and extends through and between the cloth board strip I5 `and the leather outer facing I1 of the side Wall 5.

The sideV This line of stitching serves to hold the bar 25 against upward displacement with respect to said side wall 3. The bottom leg 3l) of the strip 28 is formed integrally with and extends inwardly at right angles to the side leg 29. It is of slightly less width than the bottom leg 21 of the metallic angle bar 25 and is interposed between the extension I8 of the leather outer facing I1 of the side Wall 5 and the outer face of the outer margin of the cloth board strip I4 of the bottom Wall 5. The stitching 3i extends through and serves to hold in place, and the stitching 3l serves to hold the side leg 29 in place. The side leg in addition to augmenting the reinforcing eiect of the side leg 29 of the metallic angle bar 25 serves as a cushion for the extension I8. In order to space the bottom wall 8 from the ground or subjacent surface when the bag is in its closed position `stud-like legs 32 are provided. These legs embody heads 33 and shanks 34 and are located beneath the metallic angle bar25' and the cloth board strip 28. The heads 33 t against the outer faces of the extensions I8 along the bottom margins of the leather outer facings I1 of the side wall 9 and the shanks 34 extend through the bottom leg 35 of the strip 28, the outer margin of the cloth board strip I4 of the bottom Wall 8, and the bottom leg 21 of the angle bar 25 and are riveted over said leg 21, as shown in Figure 3, in order to connect the feet in place. By reason of the fact that the Shanks 34 extend through the bottom leg 21 of the angle bar 25 the feet are securely held in place andthe angle bar is rigidly or fixedly held in its operative position.

The section 5 is substantially the same indesign and construction as the section 5. It is positioned in opposed relation with said section 5 and consists of a bottom wall 35, a side Wall 35, a pair of end Walls 31, a top lWall 38, a lining 39, and a U-shaped angle iron frame 43. The lining 39 serves as a covering for the inner faces of the aforementioned walls of the section Ii and is secured in place by a coating of adhesive. The' bottom Wall 35 is the same in design as the bottom wall 8 of the section 5 and consists of an inner cloth board rectangular strip 4I and a coextensive outer facing 42 of leather. The side wall 35, like the side wall I2 of the section 5, is substantially rigid and is composed of a cloth board inner strip 43 and a leather outer facing 44. It is suitably secured to the clothboard strip 43 and embodies a bottom extension 45 which is bent or folded inwards into lapped relation with the outer side margin of the bottom Wall 35. The end walls 31 and the top Wall 38 correspond-to, and are secured together similarly to, the end and top walls of the section 5. In addition to the aforementioned Walls, lining and frame, the section 6 comprises a metallic angle bar 46, and an angle type cloth board strip 41. These cor respond respectively to the bar 25 and the strip 28 of the complemental compartment forming section 5 and extend substantially from one end wall 31 of the section 6 to the other end wall. The side leg of the bar 45 is arranged so that it nts against the outer face of the bottom margin of the cloth board strip 43 and the bottom leg of said bar extends under the bottom edge of the strip 44 in lapped relation with the top face of the outer margin of the cloth board strip 4l of the bottom wall 35. The cloth board angle type strip 41 is substantially the same length as the bar 45 and is arranged so that the side leg thereof isV interposed between the side leg of the bar 45 and the contiguous portion or part of the leather outer facing 44 of the side wall 36 'and its bottom leg is interposed between the extension '45 and the outer face of the `outer side margin of the leather outer facing 42 of the bottom wall 36. A line 48 of stitching extends over the topedge of the side leg of the bar 46 and between ythe cloth board strip and the leather outer facing of the side wall 36 and serves to hold the bar and strip' in place. The bottom wall 35 of the section-6 is adapted when the bag is closed and placed upon the ground or any other supporting surface to be supported by a row or series of stud-like legs 49. The latter, as shown in the drawing', are similar to the legs 32 of the section .5 and embody shanks which extend through the bottom legs of the bar and strip 4'6, 41 and are riveted over at their inner ends so as to secure the feet in place and also lock :the aforementioned bar and strip against displacement. The bar 45 operates similarly to the bar 25 in that it reinforces the juncture of the bottom and side walls of the section 6 and not only holds the section in shape but also prevents cracking of the leather facing AI l around the bottom or lower corner of the section. The cloth board strip 4'! serves the same function as the strip 26 of the section 5 in that it augments or supplements the bar 46 as far as reinforcing the bottom lower corner of the section `6 is concerned, and also prevents corrosion and injury of the bottom margin of the leather outer facing 44 as a result of rusting of the metallic bar 46.

The two sections and 6 are hinged together by way of a hinge strip 5i] and a pair of metallic hinges 5|. The hinge strip extends longitudinally of and between the inner side margins of the bottom walls of the two sections and embodies a fabric piece 52, the side margins of which are adhesively connected to the inner faces of the inner margins of the cloth board strips l5 and 4|, as shown in Figure 3. The metallic hinges 5I are located at the ends of the hinge strip 5i] and extend between the end walls of the two sections. The hinge strip 56 and the metallic hinges 5l are so arranged that the two complemental sections 5 and 6 of the bag may be swung apart from a closed position wherein they abut against one another, as shown in Figure l, into an open position wherein the compartments which are defined thereby are exposed.

The partition l is hingedly connected to the hinge strip 53 and serves to close one of the compartments and to separate the clothing or articles in one compartment from the clothing or articles in the other compartment when the 2 bag is in its closed position. It embodies storage pockets 53 and is substantially the same in size as either of the side walls of the two sections.

The two sections are adapted to be held in their closed position by means of a locking device 54 and a pair of sectional straps 55. The locking device 54 is carried by the central portion of the frame i3 of the section 5 and embodies a bolt (not shown) which is adapted for insertion in a socket (also not shown) in the central portion of the frame 49 of the section 6. The straps are anchored to the side walls of the two sections, as shown in Figure 1, and when in their operative position assist the locking device 54 in securing the two sections together. A handle 56 is associated with the locking device 54 and permits of ready carrying of the bag.

The herein described Gladstone bag may be manufactured at a comparatively low and reasonable cost and is extremely durable due to the fact :that it embodies the metallic angle bars 25 and 46 and the cloth board angle type strips 28 and 4'l`along .the lower side corners thereof, that is, at the junctures ofthe ybottom and side walls of the two sections. Since these bars and strips effectively `reinforce the aforementioned corners or junctures Vthere is little if any likelihood of the leather facings around the strips becoming cracked during use of the bag.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope `of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a traveling bag of the Gladstone type comprising a pair of complemental oppositely facing compartment forming sectionsv embodying substantially rigid leather faced bottom and side walls and semiexible end and top walls and having hinge means between the inner margins of the bottom walls for permitting them to be swung to and from one another in and out of closed relation, full length reinforcing metallic angle bars applied to and extending lengthwise of the junctures of the bottom and side Walls of the sections and disposed inwardly of and serving to prevent cracking of the portions of the leather facings of the bottom and side walls at said junctures, and angle type non-metallic strips of substantially the same length as, and extending around, the angle bars, applied to and extending lengthwise of said junctures and having side legs interposed between the side legs of the bars and the contiguous portions of the leather facings of the side walls and serving to prevent corrosion of said last mentioned portions in the event of rusting of said side legs of the bars.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a traveling bag of the Gladstone type comprising a pair of opposed complemental sections shaped to define open sided compartments and including bottom walls composed of strips of comparatively stiff` material and outer facings of leather and hinged together to permit the sections to be swung to and from one another into and out of closed relation, and also including side walls of the Vsame length as the bottom walls and composed of strips of comparatively stiff material and outer facings of leather over the outer faces of said strips, substantially full length metallic angle bars applied to and extending longitudinally of the junctures of the bottom and side walls of the sections and comprising side legs fitting against the outer faces of the bottom margins of the strips of the side walls and bottom legs extending under the bottom edges of said strips of the side walls and arranged in lapped relation with the contiguous or outer margins of the strips of the bottom walls, and strips of nonmetallic material of substantially the same length as the angle bars interposed between the side legs of the angle bars and the contiguous portions of the leather facings of the side walls.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a traveling bag of the Gladstone type comprising a pair of opposed complemental sections shaped to define open sided compartments and including bottom walls composed of strips of comparatively stiff material and outer facings of leather and hinged together to permit the sections to be swung to and from one another into and out of closed relation, and also including side walls of the same length as the bottom Walls and composed of strips of comparatively stii material and outer facings of leather extending over the outer faces of said last mentioned strips and having bottom extensions extending inwardly under the outer marginal portions of the bottom walls substantially full length, metallic angle bars applied to and extending lengthwise of the junctures of the bottom and side Walls of the sections and consisting of side legs tting against the outer faces of the bottom margins of the side Wall strips and bottom legs extending under the bottom edges of said last mentioned strips and in lapped relation with the inner faces of the bottom wall strips, and non-metallic angle type strips of substantially the same length as the angle bars also applied to and extending lengthwise of said junctures and consisting ofv side legs interposed between the side legs of the bars and the contiguous portions of the sidewall facings and bottom legs interposed between said extensions and the outer faces of said outer `marginal portions of the bottom wall facings.

relation, and also including side walls of the same length as the bottom walls and composed of strips of comparatively stiff material and outer facings of leather extending over the outer faces of said last mentioned strips and having bottom extensions extending inwardly under the outer marginal portions of the bottom walls, metallic angle iron bars applied to and extending lengthwise of the junctures of the bottom and side walls of the sections and consisting of side legs tting against the outer faces of the bottom margins of the side wall strips and bottom legs extending under the bottom edges of said last mentioned strips and in lapped relation with the inner faces of the bottom wall strips, non-metallic angle type strips also applied to and extending lengthwise of said junctures and consisting of side legs interposed between the side legs of the bars and the contiguous portions of the side wall facings and bottom legs interposed between said extensions and the outerY faces of said outer marginal portions of the` bottom wall facings, and stud-like feet for the bag disposed under the bottom Walls of the sections and against said extensions and having Shanks extending through said extensions, ,saidv bottom legs of the nonmetallic strips, the outer margins of the strips and facings of the bottom Walls, and said bottom legs of the angle bars and riveted to said last mentioned legs.

JOSEPH WEIN. 

